Verstappen and Ricciardo are “both in the doghouse” – Horner

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says that their duo – Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo are “both in the doghouse” after crashing into each other in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Ricciardo crashed into the rear of team-mate Verstappen at the first corner of Lap 41 of the 51-lap race at the Baku International Circuit, despite the pair being warned “to calm down” during the race.

“They both recognise that they screwed up today and will be apologising to the team and to all members of the team,” Horner told Sky Sports.

“We allow them to race and allow them to go wheel-to-wheel. We spoke to them in team meetings about giving each other space, this was culmination of two guys talking things into their own hands, which shouldn’t have happened.

“There were probably three incidents between them through the race. They touched wheels and were told to calm it down, we don’t want to interfere with them going wheel-to-wheel. We are not apportioning blame one way or the other, they are both to blame for this.

“Our intention is to continue to let them race but they have to show respect and give space. They have been reminded that they are part of a team, they are highly paid indivudals with the team’s interest at heart. The message was delivered very clearly.

“They are both in the doghouse. They will apologise to all of the staff before Barcelona.”

After the safety car period, Valtteri Bottas looked certain to record his first win of the 2018 season.

But the Finn suffered a puncture just two laps from the finish after running over debris, allowing Lewis Hamilton to swoop in and pick up his maiden win of the campaign.

Kimi Raikkonen and Sergio Perez joined the Brit on the podium.

Hamilton now leads Vettel by four points in the drivers’ championship after four races of the 21-race season.